Presiding magistrate, F Forster, yesterday, Tuesday July 14, 2009, at the Brikama Magistrates Court granted bail to seven accused persons including some drug enforcement agents charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit felony, fraud, and obstructing public officers from due execution for their duties.

The seven accused persons are Ansumana Fatty, Tijan Ndure, Lamin Karbou, Lamin Simma, Babucarr Cham, Fernardo Cole and Karamo Drammeh. Magistrate Forster granted bail to the accused persons following their application for bail. The principal state counsel, SH Barkum, intimated to the court that the granting of bail to the accused persons was discretionary. Lawyer Barkum, however, revealed that the prosecution intends to file substantive charges against the accused persons at the High Court and withdraw the matter from the magistrate court.

In his ruling, Magistrate Forster ordered that Ansumana Fatty, Tijan Ndure, Lamin Karbou, Fernardo Cole and Karamo Drammeh be granted in the sum of D25, 000 with two Gambian sureties and deposit their ID Cards with the court, whilst, Lamin Simma and Babucarr Cham be granted bail in the sum of D40,000 with a Gambian surety, who must possess a valid Gambian ID Card.

The matter was adjourned to July 29, 2009.